We got our historic marker !!
Finally, after months of filling out countless forms and completing requirements with the Florida Division of Historical Resources and the Florida Department of State (thank you to the volunteers that helped!) we can say that the Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Museum got their permanent Historic Marker! It was purchased with donations from members of the Association & Museum. It is a large, beautiful, solid bronze plaque, in navy blue and white color, with text on both sides, about the history of the Link Trainer Building #8 (home of the Museum). It was installed on April 10! Thank you to Mr. Michael Hart, Historic Sites Specialist at the Florida Department of State for his guidance and help. You can read the text below.
Finally, after months of filling out countless forms and completing requirements with the Florida Division of Historical Resources and the Florida Department of State (thank you to the volunteers that helped!) we can say that the Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Museum got their permanent Historic Marker! It was purchased with donations from members of the Association & Museum. It is a large, beautiful, solid bronze plaque, in navy blue and white color, with text on both sides, about the history of the Link Trainer Building #8 (home of the Museum). It was installed on April 10! Thank you to Mr. Michael Hart, Historic Sites Specialist at the Florida Department of State for his guidance and help. You can read the text below.
Text on the marker reads as follows:
LINK TRAINER BUILDING # 8
"Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale (NASFL), a complex of over 200 buildings, was built on the site of Merle Fogg Field in 1942 and served as one of a few specialty schools for training on the TBF/TBM Avenger torpedo bomber. Nineteen-year-old pilot Ensign George H.W. Bush, who later served as president of the United States, trained here in 1943. He spent several sessions in this building on a Link Trainer, a flight simulator commonly known as the "Blue Box" built by Link Aviation, Inc. On December 5, 1945, a routine training flight of five Avengers, Flight 19, disappeared into what became known as the Bermuda Triangle. In 1979 the NASFL Historical Association was formed by Navy veteran Allan McElhiney and a small group of aviation and history enthusiasts. Their goal was to save one building to restore as a museum for the public to visit and learn about the important role this base played in winning the war. With the help of Broward County Commissioner Lori Parrish, this building was relocated to its present location in December 1999. Link Trainer Building No. 8 is the only remaining building from NASFL, and the only military museum in Broward County.
Our Mission: EDUCATE, PRESERVE, AND HONOR OUR HEROES
A Florida Heritage Site Sponsored by the Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Historical Association
and the Florida Department of State"
LINK TRAINER BUILDING # 8
"Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale (NASFL), a complex of over 200 buildings, was built on the site of Merle Fogg Field in 1942 and served as one of a few specialty schools for training on the TBF/TBM Avenger torpedo bomber. Nineteen-year-old pilot Ensign George H.W. Bush, who later served as president of the United States, trained here in 1943. He spent several sessions in this building on a Link Trainer, a flight simulator commonly known as the "Blue Box" built by Link Aviation, Inc. On December 5, 1945, a routine training flight of five Avengers, Flight 19, disappeared into what became known as the Bermuda Triangle. In 1979 the NASFL Historical Association was formed by Navy veteran Allan McElhiney and a small group of aviation and history enthusiasts. Their goal was to save one building to restore as a museum for the public to visit and learn about the important role this base played in winning the war. With the help of Broward County Commissioner Lori Parrish, this building was relocated to its present location in December 1999. Link Trainer Building No. 8 is the only remaining building from NASFL, and the only military museum in Broward County.
Our Mission: EDUCATE, PRESERVE, AND HONOR OUR HEROES
A Florida Heritage Site Sponsored by the Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Historical Association
and the Florida Department of State"
